Soccer Hosts OU's First-Ever SEC Game Thursday

NORMAN — The University of Oklahoma soccer team plays its long-awaited inaugural Southeastern Conference game Thursday as it hosts No. 24 Mississippi State at John Crain Field. First touch vs. the Bulldogs is set for 7 p.m. on SEC Network+.

OU closed non-conference play with a 2-1 road win Sunday at Tulsa, receiving goals from Sophia Green and Ella Pappas. Green's goal extended her point streak to five matches.

The Sooners are again receiving votes in this week's U.S. Soccer Coaches poll, marking the first time OU has done so in consecutive weeks since the weeks 1-3 of the 2019 season.

FOR THE FANS

Thursday's match is OU's first-ever SEC event. The match will feature OU Softball head coach Patty Gasso as the ceremonial coin toss guest, a Pride of Oklahoma performance at halftime and postgame fireworks. Schedule posters will be available at the marketing table at John Crain Field. Tickets are available for purchase here. The match will be broadcast on SEC Network+.

SEASON STORYLINES

• All About Oklahoma: The Sooners are off to a 7-1-0 start to the 2024 season and own the fifth-best winning percentage in the SEC at .875.

• Home Sweet Home: OU is unbeaten at home this fall, outscoring opponents 24-3 across five tilts at JCF.

• Leo Leads the Way: Leonie Weber is seventh in program history with 45 career points and leads OU with five assists and 13 points this fall.

• Defensive Dominance: Oklahoma's defense impressed in non-conference play, limiting opponents to just five goals on 5.00 shots per match. Caroline Duffy owns an 83.3% save rate while the group of Meredith King, Cassie Clifton, Cailey England and Andie Wolfe have logged 92.7% of the available backline minutes.

• Historic Helpers: Alexis Washington (1 away) and Leonie Weber (2) are both within striking distance of tying Oklahoma's career assist record of 18 held by Lauren MacIver.

• 2024 Outlook: The Sooners were selected 13th in the 2024 SEC Preseason Coaches' Poll, sharing the rank with Florida. Five athletes were named to the SEC Preseason Watchlist as forwards Hadley Murrell, Alexis Washington and Leonie Weber, midfielder Cailey England and defender Andie Wolfe earned league recognition.

• OU x SEC: OU Soccer embarks on its inaugural season in the SEC this fall and will enjoy the honor of playing Oklahoma's first SEC league game. The Sooners have previously faced 11 of their 15 new conference opponents. OU head coach Matt Mott owns 20 seasons of SEC experience from stints at Ole Miss and Auburn.

UP NEXT

The Sooners travel to Texas A&M for a conference match Sunday with a 2 p.m. CT start. The contest will be broadcast on SEC Network+.

For updates and more information on Oklahoma Soccer, follow the Sooners on X (Formerly Twitter) and Instagram (@OU_WSoccer) and like Oklahoma Soccer on Facebook.